Day: June 14, 2025

Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan has advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran temporarily due to the ongoing regional tensions following recent Israeli attacks.

According to Radio Pakistan, the advisory emphasizes that the government is actively monitoring the situation and is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.

In response to directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has already begun implementing measures to facilitate the safe return of Pakistani nationals currently in Iran.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause. He made the remarks while chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review the status of ongoing assistance provided to the Palestinian people.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ishaq Dar expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, resulting from Israel’s violations of human rights. He emphasized the need to enhance the provision of humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people and extend educational assistance to Palestinian students.

Paris: The Financial Action Task Force has decided not to place Pakistan in the grey list at its meeting held on Saturday. After the FATF decision, India has completely failed to achieve its objectives as the Indian diplomatic delegation made a strong effort to get Pakistan included in the grey list once again in the FATF meeting.

According to Radio Pakistan, during the meeting, China took a clear stance in favor of Pakistan and supported while Turkey and Japan also fully supported Pakistan. After Operation Banyan Marsus, India made strong efforts to isolate Pakistan on a diplomatic level. The Indian intelligence agency RAW was at the forefront of propaganda against Pakistan.

RAW also established a disinfo lab in New Delhi to defame Pakistan. This disinfo lab is spreading false and fabricated propaganda against Pakistan. India was trying hard to use FATF against Pakistan with the help of Israel.

However, FATF member countries ignored India’s negative propaganda. Pakistan’s diplomatic position has been continuously strengthening since Operation Banyan Marsus. The joint efforts of Hindutva and Zionist lobby also failed to get Pakistan included in the grey list. This is another success for Pakistan on the diplomatic front.

Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar announced significant steps taken by the government to boost economic growth, including tax reductions for the salaried class, during a budget debate in the National Assembly. He emphasized that these measures are revolutionary and aimed at the welfare of the populace.

According to Radio Pakistan, the minister addressed criticisms from the opposition, clarifying that health, education, and law and order are responsibilities of the provinces. He questioned the opposition’s performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where they have been in power for the past decade, highlighting the province’s lag in improving health and education facilities. In contrast, he pointed out that Punjab boasts a higher literacy rate and advanced health and education systems.

The minister detailed reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), noting efforts to curb tax evasion. He mentioned the introduction of a faceless, automated appraisement system at Karachi port, which has reduced container clearance times and minimized opportunities for corruption. The FBR is moving towards reduced human intervention through technological advancements.

On agriculture, Attaullah Tarar stated that the federal government has imposed no new taxes on fertilizers, and he urged provinces to contribute to the sector’s development. He also called on the opposition to collaborate with the government as the economy transitions from stability to growth.

Discussing regional issues, the minister highlighted Pakistan’s recognized role in promoting peace and de-escalation. He praised Pakistan’s support for Iran at the UN Security Council amidst Israeli aggression and reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, noting the consensus among Pakistan’s political parties on the issue.

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has directed the formation of a sub-committee led by the Railways Minister to oversee the maintenance, upkeep, and construction work of the Hazrat Bari Imam Shrine. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the shrine’s preservation and continued reverence.

According to Radio Pakistan, Deputy Prime Minister Dar was presiding over a meeting of the Committee for the Development and Management of the Hazrat Bari Imam Shrine in Islamabad. During the meeting, he expressed appreciation for the committee members’ commitment to preserving and developing this significant spiritual site.

The committee also decided to hold the ‘Urs Mubarak’ of Hazrat Bari Imam Sarkar from August 8th to 10th this year, marking an important event in the shrine’s calendar.

Islamabad: The National Assembly resumed its session at the parliament house with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq presiding over the proceedings. During a budget discussion, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed solidarity with Iran, asserting that Pakistan will safeguard Iran’s interests at all international forums, including the United Nations.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Defense Minister condemned the Israeli attack on Iran and emphasized the fraternal relationship between the two nations. He called for a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to demonstrate the unity of the Muslim Ummah. Khawaja Asif reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast stance on not recognizing Israel or establishing any relations with it.

Addressing recent tensions with India, the Defense Minister remarked on the consequences faced by India for its aggressive actions against Pakistan, noting the resilience of Pakistan’s armed forces and citizens. He assured that Pakistan remains fully capable of defending itself, with the nation united behind its military.

On the topic of terrorism, Khawaja Asif highlighted the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s security forces and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to overcome terrorism. He also discussed the nation’s economic progress, noting the improved indicators and confidence from international financial institutions in Pakistan’s economic trajectory, predicting future robustness.

The session also saw various members participating in the budget debate. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig criticized the increase in withholding tax on markup and solar panels. Asad Qaiser opposed the sales tax on merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, advocating for a minimum support price for tobacco. Farooq Sattar called for reductions in electricity and gas prices.

Syed Naveed Qamar suggested reviewing energy and agriculture policies to provide more relief to farmers, while Zartaj Gul Wazir emphasized human rights and empowerment of women and youth in the budget. Jamal Shah Kakar praised the budget but stressed transparent allocation for Balochistan. Syeda Shehla Raza recommended improving existing educational facilities and appreciated the increased tax exemption slab on cash withdrawals.